Carrie Bradshaw Lied

3 Years: 3 Things We’ve Learned

photo by Taylor Cole Photo | dress c/o

Christian and I have been together for almost nine years and today marks three years of marriage. I think newlywed life is different for everyone, and for us we’ve been grateful that because we knew each other so well before we got married, the first few years of our marriage have actually felt really natural (and fun!) without many surprises.

However, since we chose not to live together until we got married, cohabiting has been new for us – merging our pets, possessions and privacy. So, today I wanted us both to share three things we’ve learned over the past three years.

Kathleen –

1. Sometimes, silence is best.

I can be a complainer. This I know is true. Christian rarely complains, he’s a steady, glass half full kind of guy (one of the many things I admire about him). The great thing about having a loyal partner is that they are there for you in the good and bad, they are listeners and can empathize with you like no one else (other than your Mom of course. #momsrule). Because you love your partner, you shouldn’t want to bring them down with your negativity when you can help it. I really try to bite my tongue and stay silent when I feel I could get on a whine-streak about something that doesn’t even involve C. Take a walk, go into another room – distract yourself and it will pass.

2. A little mystery isn’t a bad thing.

I’ve always been modest, and I prefer to maintain a little modesty and mystery in our relationship (we don’t have kids – so this is probably easier for us now). Christian doesn’t need to see me climb into a pair of Spanx and the bathroom door can stay closed. He’s just fine with me not sharing everything.

3. Never underestimate the importance of a quick vacation.

We made a long bucket list when we moved to California and have been crossing destinations off one by one. Travel might actually be the only splurge we both agree on! Something about a vacation – even if it’s just a mini weekend getaway – takes us back to that honeymoon phase. We always come back feeling more connected.

Christian –

1. After you’ve been with someone for years they learn to read your mood.

They can see things in you change before you realize it. When she says, “You’re getting sleepy/grumpy… you should go to bed,” she’s right and it’s time for bed.

2. You think you know someone…

Alternatively, you can be with someone for nine years and they’ll still surprise you, pleasantly of course. Example: I felt some pressure uprooting both of our lives across the country for my career, taking Kathleen away from all of her family and friends after only six months of marriage. While living here, she has adjusted almost effortlessly and has even mentioned it would be fun to live internationally for a year, which completely took me by surprise.

3. You have to learn new ways to keep things romantic.

When we first started dating, I could bring Kathleen flowers and it would be a big deal for weeks. When we were engaged I could stop by the grocery and buy a few dollars worth of flowers without an occasion and it would make her week. Now she buys flowers for herself weekly when she grocery shops. Flowers from me are nice but have lost their romantic gesture. However if I surprise her by cooking dinner, she’s elated. Gestures of love have to change with your current season of life.

Do you have advice you’ve learned from your relationship and/or partner? I’d truly love to hear. Thanks so much for reading and for experiencing this journey with me! You can find posts about our wedding here, first anniversary here and second anniversary here. And don’t forget there are still a few more days to enter to win one of two Rebecca Minkoff bags here AND the hair tools giveaway here! XO –

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Using a Clipless Curling Iron

I love a clipless curling iron for creating soft, pretty waves that don’t have any of those creases or kinks that curling irons with clips can leave. You might think that using a clipless curling iron takes more time to use, but it might surprise you that it really doesn’t once you’ve gotten the hang of it. For first-time users I would recommend using the glove that comes with the iron to make sure you don’t accidentally burn yourself. I want you guys to have beautiful curls burn-free!

At under $35, what’s really unique about this Pro Beauty Tools 1” Professional X-Long Gold Curling Wand is that it is two inches longer than traditional wands – something I’ve never seen before. This makes it even easier to achieve salon-quality hair and an affordable price! You can curl your hair from root to tip without overlapping hair on the barrel, so it is the ideal curling wand for girls with long hair! Brilliant, right? It also heats up to 430 degrees and has multiple heat settings to hold your curls extra-long.

Today I’m sharing my mane crush – Mila Kunis. I used my curling wand to style glam curls like a pro and recreate her look, including an off-the-shoulder dress that felt so Mila.

First I brush my hair and spray it with heat protectant spray. Once that has dried, I clip up the top half of my hair and lightly spray some hairspray on the bottom half of my hair before beginning to curl it. I grab a section of hair and wrap it around the wand away from my face. I usually hold the hair to the barrel for about 8 – 10 seconds. Once I take away the wand I scrunch the section of hair in my hand to the root to trap some of the heat before moving onto another section.

After I’ve curled each section, I leave it be, don’t brush through it just yet! Before I take down the top portion of my hair, I clipped in two rows of Luxy Hair Extensions to give my hair some extra thickness. You can get $5 off of your order with the code LUXYKATHLEEN.

I continue the same steps on the top portion of my hair. Once I’ve curled all of my hair and it has cooled, I run through the curls with my fingers, loosening them into more natural, voluminous curls. I then tease the roots lightly before a finishing layer of hairspray. Voila!

dress c/o, runs large, I sized down | spotted pillows c/o | bedding c/o

Today, Pro Beauty Tools and I have teamed up to give away both a 1” Professional X-Long Gold Curling Wand AND their AC Blow Dryer to one reader! To enter, simply leave a comment answering what Pro Beauty product you want to try the most. That’s it! The winner will be selected and announced in this post on Monday, 11/23.

Thank you guys so much for reading and entering – XO –

* Update 11/23: Winner is…. Ann Langlois! Thank you SO MUCH to all of you who entered, I loved hearing about your own hair and how you like to style it. More fun giveaways to come!

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Quitting My Day Job

photo by Jason Huang

So I’ve been putting off sharing some recent changes with you guys because I’ve been going back and forth on how to share it… but I’m just going to pour out my feelings and we can just take it from there, deal?

I’ve had a few comments and questions from y’all recently about my day job and if I’m still working in my social media position in addition to managing this blog. Let’s talk about it. I’ve always loved writing, so much so that I minored in Journalism in college. Since I started CBL five years ago, I’ve worked full-time in three different states – at a magazine, the marketing department of a bank and now a global cosmetics company. I’ve loved each step in my career – and am still friends with coworkers from each piece of the journey.

The past year was the first time I really felt stretched thin (I shared a post about this here). I felt scatterbrained, sleep deprived and stressed. I had so much on my plate, but loved both my day job and the blog and didn’t want to let anything go! Both Christian and my family encouraged me to leave my day job and focus on this blog, but I wasn’t ready. I loved my job. I love my coworkers, going to work everyday to a mega cool office with mega cool people, bringing my dog to work, traveling, pouring my energy and focus into a brand and working as a team for a unified goal. I thrive in that kind of environment!

There’s a phrase I love, “you can do everything but not everything well.” That’s where I was. I was forgetting things left and right, making simple mistakes constantly because I was moving too quickly. One time I even drifted off into the middle of an intersection on the way to work because I was simply in a daze (Mom, if you’re reading this, look away!!). Not to mention I was spending over an hour in the car everyday, getting to and from work in traffic.

I prayed about it. I talked about it endlessly with Christian, but I just didn’t know what to do. I didn’t feel my time at my day job was done, and I wasn’t ready to let anything go.

In June I got a phone call that changed everything.

My eyes fill with tears just typing that sentence. One of my closest friends called me to tell me that my friend from college (and the last roommate I had before I married Christian) had passed away in Mississippi. Mary Ellen was gone. And I lived across the country. I was devastated. I felt helpless, confused – I couldn’t fully believe it until I read her obituary, and then the tears were a free fall. The loss of her life and everything that could have been suddenly changed my perspective like a light switch.

Life is short, you never know what tomorrow brings, and you have to take control of your own happiness now. I was completely absorbed by working two jobs that I wasn’t the partner I wanted to be to Christian. I wasn’t a good friend, a good listener, sister or daughter. I was putting so much pressure on myself and didn’t want to let anyone down, but I had to change gears and get out of this race with myself.

That doesn’t mean I didn’t cry like a baby to my amazing bossy when I told her how I was feeling. I’ve worked so hard to give everything 100%, but ultimately I decided to move in a new direction, and left my day job in the beginning of September.

I still bring Bailey by the office every few weeks (she really misses all the attention… and treats!), and still text regularly with my coworkers – meeting up for dinner and catching up on everything I’ve missed. But I’ve never felt more centered (and Christian is loving all the hot meals, #Southern).

Hopefully this means you guys will be seeing more fresh, creative and unique content on this blog. But if you follow me on Snapchat (CBLied), you’ll see that things have changed a bit.

So that’s everything. That’s where my heart is and where life is. Of course I’d rather work both jobs and have Mary Ellen here. I miss her. But she taught me so many things in her life – like how to properly organize my closet, the best cleaning supplies, never to drink more than two Long Island iced teas, that it’s not too late to pick up a ballet hobby just to wear toe shoes, how to really decorate for Christmas, what it looked like to be a proud American, the beauty of a Sonic Diet Coke, in fact, it was with Mary Ellen that I snatched Lula LaShonda from the Mexican restaurant parking lot… I could go on forever! She will always be a part of me in the heart-filling memories I have of her life.

My days are a little different now, but I’m no longer drifting into intersections and am getting more than five hours of sleep, so I feel grateful for the change in pace. I always want to be honest and transparent with you guys, and this isn’t something I’ve been holding back from you, but I knew it wasn’t going to be easy to share. Heart (and tears) spilled!

Thanks so much for reading and listening – XO –

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Styling Espadrilles

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Payless. As always, all opinions are my own.

In the small town I grew up in, there was a Payless store in the mall and I would find cute shoes there all of the time. In fact, I have a pair of python stacked heels that I snagged from Payless over five years ago that I still get compliments on all the time!

So when I found these adorable espadrilles in two colors on sale for $12 each, I knew I had to have them in both colors. I’ve seen espadrilles styled so many cute ways for summer, but I think you can easily pull them into fall. Since I’ve been wearing these around town I’ve been stopped twice and asked where they were from, and of course I had to tell them, “run, don’t walk. They were $12!”

My challenge to you guys – pop into Payless next time you’re in a mall or shopping center and you’re looking for some trendy shoes but don’t want to break the bank. I’m telling you – you’ll be surprised. I went in for one pair and left with six. Seriously! Stay tuned – you’ll being seeing which pairs I picked up!

Thanks so much for reading, and if you need some inspiration on how to style your Payless purchase, check out their Pinterest. XO –

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Styling the LBD for Fall

LBD – the mandatory dress in your closet. I have a black wrap dress that I called my “interview dress” the first few years out of college. Still have it and still love it!

This little black dress adds some spice with a split side and is just as fab on it’s own, but I wanted to bring it into fall with a leather jacket and some booties. A great reminder that you can always revamp those old faithful pieces in your closet!

And a pink fringe bag because… it’s real, real cute.

What’s one of your favorite ways to style an LBD in your closet? Thanks so much for reading and don’t forget to enter the Rebecca Minkoff bag giveaway! XO –

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On the Fringe

Suede, chambray, fringe… all the things. Unless this is your first time visiting CBL (and if it is, welcome!), you guys know I’m a more is more kind of gal. I’ve loved seeing all the different ways girls have been styling the suede skirt this fall and this one is for the tall girls!

This skirt is from TTYA x Long Tall Sally, a clothing company dedicated to clothing for taller girls. Brilliant. They have the cutest pieces, like this turtleneck dress I wore a few weekends ago here.

photos by Taylor Cole Photo

Thanks so much for reading, and don’t forget to enter to win one of two Rebecca Minkoff satchels here! XO –

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Friday’s Five

– some new sunglasses for cruisin’ –

– the prettiest palette that brings some serious glow, addicted –

– the coolest speakers that also work as an alarm clock + transportable cell charger –

– having a little too much fun with this Hanes sweatshirt and flare –

– walking outside to a pink sky –

It’s HALLOWEEN weekend you guys!! So fun. I have been binge-recording scary movies on the DVR so C and I can have a movie marathon while hoping for trick or treaters so I don’t eat an entire bowl of chocolate candy by myself.

It’s happened before.

I regret nothing.

I feel like when you’re in between having graduated college and having children you’re in this weird limbo phase where you still love Halloween but there’s not always a party or something to do… so this is the phase we are in. I’m going with it.

In other news, I was slated for the 2:30 speaking panel about Topshop Holiday Trends on 11/7 at StyleCon here in Orange County! Following the panel I will be in the Skin Laundry booth, so I would LOVE to meet any of you who will be there! You can get $5 off your tickets with the code KATHLEEN. This brings your ticket down to only $24 and you get a swag bag valued at over $100… so I’d say that’s a steal.

Tell me your Halloween plans. So far this is definitely the best Halloween costume setup I’ve seen. OBSESSED. Thanks for reading and y’all don’t forget to win one of TWO Rebecca Minkoff satchels here! XO –

PS – this new Barbie commercial my sister sent to me must be mentioned. GENIUS rebranding. I was always obsessed with Barbie (duh, she was basically just my fit model), so I’m loving this new #girlboss mentality!

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Pumpkin Patch

Last week I went to (what I think is my) first pumpkin patch ever! I love Tanaka Farms. I try to go every season for their different pickin’s – strawberry, watermelon, pumpkins, Christmas tree. So fun every time!

I kind of felt like all the other little kids there – I would’ve left with 10 pumpkins if I could have carried them out. Of course it was actually warm and I was pretending it was cold for my own personal enjoyment – the truth is revealed – but as I type this in the joy of air conditioning, I have no regrets.

I’ve been looking forward to today because today I am teaming up with the Fashion Island to give away not one, but two Rebecca Minkoff satchels from Bloomingdale’s! I’ve had my eye on these satchels since they came out and you can enter to win a green bag like the one I’ve styled here OR a taupe suede bag like in Tuesday’s post. Scroll on down to see how you could win!

photos by Taylor Cole Photo

Our winners are Marit M. and Jenell K.! Thank you so much to everyone who entered!

Winners selected must be able to claim prize at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, CA.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks so much for reading and entering! XO –

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Wednesday Wish List: Workwear Under $50

1 (40% off) | 2 | 3 | 4 (35% off and comes in 3 colors) | 5 (40% off and comes in 2 colors) | 6 | 7 | 8 (35% off)

I recently had the best phone catch-up session with one of my college best friends (she was also a bridesmaid in our wedding!), and we started talking about clothes and shopping, fall trends, etc. She works in a very corporate setting with a strict dress code, and it reminded of me of when I worked in the marketing department of a bank (note: that job was bomb, seriously loved it so much!).

It got me thinking about those of you who work in strict dress code settings. I used to struggle with the same dilemmas (no leggings! #thestruggle), so today I wanted to share my picks under $50 for a 9 to 5 gig.

If you would like these roundups to be themed – I’d love to hear some topics you might be interested in. What to wear to weddings, cocktail parties, football games/tailgating, baby showers, etc. I’m totally up to suggestions!

Thanks so much for reading – and seriously – some of these pieces are just too good (insert praise hands emoji). XO –

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Striped

If you guys follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that I can’t stop wearing this striped sweater (like here and here). I love the boyfriend fit, and it’s exactly the layering piece I need right now, comfortable and non-wool… if anyone has been paying attention to national weather you’ve seen it’s definitely not cold here! Even though at times I’m pretending it is for my own personal enjoyment.

Meanwhile, my turtleneck obsession is real and this is one of the three gray dresses I have. I can’t help myself! What I love about this one is that it’s a little more form-fitting and has this great front sweatshirt-like pocket. Plus it’s a cotton blend, which means I can look the part even when it’s really 75 degrees!

I must note that in the middle of snapping these photos, a giant bus was pulling up. I couldn’t stop laughing, because in the same week I could’ve have been hit by a bus while standing here or a tractor (at the pumpkin patch – coming soon!), and if I had been hit by either large vehicle while attempting blog photos I gave Christian full permission to put that on my tombstone. #strikeapose

Thanks so much for reading, and stay tuned to Thursday’s post because we have not one, but two majorly fab giveaways happening! XO –

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Gray High Low Skirt

I like midi skirts, and I cannot lie. I had intended to pack this beauty with me when I traveled to New York but I didn’t get it in time, not to worry – I knew I would find a reason to wear it! Thanks to this crazy California weather, some days are sweater days and others are crop top days, so I’m just going with it. What else can you do, right?

I’ve always loved anything feminine and flowy – I think it’s my best attempt at being graceful. Fake it ’til you make it style. I think this skirt would also look so pretty with a thin black sweater and black ankle booties – it’s all about mixing and matching. BUT, these heels – y’all may have seen them here – have my heart. I can’t get over how cute they are, and they’re under $40 and come in red too. Need!

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Colorful Cape

I recently walked Bailey down this neighborhood street and realized I had never really stopped to notice what a darling street it was. These huge trees, beautiful homes and fences – I made a mental note to drag Christian back for some photos and voila! Here we are.

Poor Christian.

BUT, this little sidewalk and this cheerful cape has me feeling fall vibes, and I can never say not to a cape, let’s be real. I snagged these gray calfhair booties at the Piperlime sale last year (RIP Piperlime, loved that place) and they are a neutral bootie that really goes with everything. If you don’t have a gray pair – you need one! I’m sharing some of my favorite picks below.

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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